Pipe Rotation and Blend Advice/Recommendations?

[endlesssouth]

I’m relatively new to the world of pipe smoking and have two pipes in my collection. Currently working through two bulk blends from my local B&M. One described as rubbed out virginia cakes, steamed virginias & bright virginia flake. The other is a light and dark cavendish mix that was most compared to Captain Black Royal. Like both of them, though still breaking in the new pipes and getting a taste for it all.

Question I have are:
1. Is it best to smoke these blends in separate pipes or is it alright to smoke out of the same one? Guess I’m concerned about ghosting.
2. How would you go about adding new blends to try to get a feel for what you like best?
3. Any recommendations on what to try next are more than welcome!

I’m sure I’m overthinking/reading too much into it some, but looking forward to hearing your thoughts and any advice you have. Thanks in advance!

 

[elvishrunes]

1-yes and no, depending on if you care about a tiny amount of residual flavor, myself I do not and only dedicate one pipe to an English out of 30 or 40, solely out of autistic habit, not flavour, smoking preference actually.

2-At your stage try anything, but a more experienced smoker will generally have a target. TocaccoReviews.com doesn’t work in some places helps and Smokingpipes.com to read reviews.

3-Try an English like Old Dublin, as you have already had a Virginia flake and aro.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

1. Most people (at least I think) dedicate certain pipes to aromatics. I don't go as far as some do. Some folks have Virginia pipes, burley pipes, VaPer pipes, English pipes etc.
I do have pipes that I only smoke aromatics out of. Of course I only smoke one aromatic, so they're basically dedicated to one particular blend.
But the rest of my pipes, I smoke whatever I want out of them. I guess I just want to watch the world burn. lol

2. I'm of the opinion that new pipe smokers should try a couple of blends from each type of tobacco. Pick out a couple of Virginias, try some burleys, try some dark fired Kentucky, try some blends with Latakia. You'll get a grasp of what tobaccos you like and you can delve further into those.

3. I always tell new people to try Orlik Golden Sliced because that's the first tobacco that I tried that I genuinely loved. I had about given up on smoking a pipe when I tried it, and it changed everything.

 

[Gabes]

1. Usually it is advised to have dedicated pipes for aromatics and English blends. If you rest your pipe properly it should not be much of an issue, though (unless you pledge your loyalty to pure virginias, I guess).
2. Try those with good reviews first.
3. Ennerdale (it is always hit or miss, people either love it, or hate it) and Kendal Kentucky (smokes smoothly and it will help you decide if you should try other nic-loaded tobacco, or not). Squadron leader (to see if latakia is your thing or not). Early morning pipe, probably? I didn't like Peterson's take on this blend, but there are plenty of other Dunhill replacements out there. There are so much excellent tobaccos, it is really hard to list them all here.

 

[fireground_piper]

I pretty much smoke 2 pipes and everything goes into them. I don’t build up cake and don’t experience much ghosting at all.

I think finding a blender/manufacture house is as important as a particular genre. Finding the ones that work for you helps find a direction.

 

[Brad H]

I’m relatively new to the world of pipe smoking and have two pipes in my collection. Currently working through two bulk blends from my local B&M. One described as rubbed out virginia cakes, steamed virginias & bright virginia flake. The other is a light and dark cavendish mix that was most compared to Captain Black Royal. Like both of them, though still breaking in the new pipes and getting a taste for it all.

Question I have are:
1. Is it best to smoke these blends in separate pipes or is it alright to smoke out of the same one? Guess I’m concerned about ghosting.
2. How would you go about adding new blends to try to get a feel for what you like best?
3. Any recommendations on what to try next are more than welcome!

I’m sure I’m overthinking/reading too much into it some, but looking forward to hearing your thoughts and any advice you have. Thanks in advance!

I have 2 pipes dedicated to Lakeland blends. Otherwise just jam it in a pipe and smoke it. Lakeland will ghost a pipe quickly in my opinion.
Add new blends in when you can. The more blends you try, the more you will find what you like.
An English blend will give you a difference experience in pipe tobacco from what you said your current blends are. Maybe you like it or maybe you don’t. Never know what you like until you try them.

Think of smoking as Pokémon, you want to catch them all.

 

[Pooh-Bah]

In order...
1- Generally I'll smoke anything in any of my pipes, with one exception: Everything that'll ghost like the Dickens (War Horse, Lakelands, etc) always goes into the same pipe, so my meerschaum billiard is basically a haunted house.

2- Browse online stores, look at tobacco reviews, and see what people are saying in the WAYS threads on this forum. Sometimes just buy a tin or an ounce because you like the name.

3- I'll recommend Crooner as a simple and well-behaved blend with some wholesome natural fragrance from the nice smelling grass they mix in.

 

[rakovsky]

I’m relatively new to the world of pipe smoking and have two pipes in my collection. Currently working through two bulk blends from my local B&M. One described as rubbed out virginia cakes, steamed virginias & bright virginia flake. The other is a light and dark cavendish mix that was most compared to Captain Black Royal. Like both of them, though still breaking in the new pipes and getting a taste for it all.

Question I have are:
1. Is it best to smoke these blends in separate pipes or is it alright to smoke out of the same one? Guess I’m concerned about ghosting.
2. How would you go about adding new blends to try to get a feel for what you like best?
3. Any recommendations on what to try next are more than welcome!

1. Whether you smoke them out of the same pipe or different depends on how much you would dislike a marginal leftover smell. Personally I have a full bent Grabow that I have smoked 50+ blends out of- aromatics, Latakia, Perique, Grousemoor. It's a workhorse, I swab it with overproof rum, and count ghosting toward the pipe's character.
But it's more standard advice to separate your aromatic blends and smoke them in a different pipe from your Latakia blends.
2. Try samples from different types. Some stores have jars they let you sample out of.
Personally I like grouping blends by themes that I'm into. Sometimes that leads me to try very unconventional blends, but it's still pretty fun that way.

3. Try an English blend with Latakia, and a blend with Perique. I recall St. James Flake having perique. I think more pipe smokers should try an Oriental blend with no Latakia because Latakia has its own unique musty smell. But Orientals and Englishes on the market usually have Latakia.

I also think that pipers should have an OTC burley blend like Prince Albert for deghosting. That is, swabbing with overproof liquor and then smoking 3 to 10 bowls of burleys I found to be a great way to deghost.

The third thing more pipers could try would be adding some legal Native herbs like sage and mint to their blends. It's not very common but is a Native American tradition.

 

[tschiraldi]

Virginias have a lighter flavor than Latakia, Perique, Lakelands, and Aromatics, so you will get some of the previous blends flavor when you put a Virginia in the same pipe. I’m a Virginia lover, and want the pure taste of Virginia blends when I smoke them, so I don’t smoke anything in pipes I smoke Virginia in, but that can be difficult if you only have two pipes. There are no rules. If it doesn’t bother you then go for it!

 

[Woobijube]

As far as pipes are concerned, I would recommend adding a cob to your collection. They are relatively affordable, user friendly, and can later become the pipe you lend to friends as you develop your collection.
Regarding tobacco, it seems you have already visited your local shop but make sure you investigate each tobacco on offer and often times the shop will let you try a bowl before buying.
On that note, I would recommend going out of your way to attend the next Pipe Show near your area. Not only are the people very helpful and friendly but there is an opportunity to experience many different tobaccos so would be a great way to expand your horizon.
Take it easy and learn what works for you- there is more than one way to skin a cat!

 

[ClassicKehler]

I dedicated a few affordable cobs to aromatics. To me, different pipes for aromatics are a must. The pipes that i have smoked any aromatic from Boswells all taste very distinctly like flavouring. I cant even properly enjoy a different aromatic in those pipes without tasting Boswells Best. Personally, if you are trying to develop your palate and you are trying to taste different flavours, dont cross aromatics with english or virginia blends. It will make things frustrating. If you dont care to pursue the tasting part of the hobby then dont worry about it.

 

[SSGT.]

I’m relatively new to the world of pipe smoking and have two pipes in my collection. Currently working through two bulk blends from my local B&M. One described as rubbed out virginia cakes, steamed virginias & bright virginia flake. The other is a light and dark cavendish mix that was most compared to Captain Black Royal. Like both of them, though still breaking in the new pipes and getting a taste for it all.

Question I have are:
1. Is it best to smoke these blends in separate pipes or is it alright to smoke out of the same one? Guess I’m concerned about ghosting.
2. How would you go about adding new blends to try to get a feel for what you like best?
3. Any recommendations on what to try next are more than welcome!

I’m sure I’m overthinking/reading too much into it some, but looking forward to hearing your thoughts and any advice you have. Thanks in advance!

I feel like pipe smoking is a matter of personel prefrance smoke what you like out of what you like to smoke it out of. I have a few years of pipe smoking under my belt, yet I'm still learning and there are much more qualified "experts" on this site than me. That being said here is my take on your questions.
1) I know a lot of folks are big on pipe dedication and the fear of ghosting. Me. not so much I have only experienced unbearable ghosting one time when I tried Peterson's My Mixture 965 a heavy Latakia blend that ruined Latakia forever for me. I ended up giving the pipe away.

2) As others have already said try a little of each family until you find the one you want to make your own, then load it up and enjoy. I started with Bulk tobaccos because I'm cheap and you can buy it an ounce at a time.

3) Other than read a few reviews and pick some that sound good to you and get to sampling. For a company I like C&D, Gawith Hoggarth, Kramer's and Newminster

Best advice I can offer is enjoy. Good Luck in your quest for your very own perfect blend. Welcome to the Pipe Smoking Lifestyle, Happy Smoking.

 

[endlesssouth]

Virginias have a lighter flavor than Latakia, Perique, Lakelands, and Aromatics, so you will get some of the previous blends flavor when you put a Virginia in the same pipe. I’m a Virginia lover, and want the pure taste of Virginia blends when I smoke them, so I don’t smoke anything in pipes I smoke Virginia in, but that can be difficult if you only have two pipes. There are no rules. If it doesn’t bother you then go for it!

Virginias have a lighter flavor than Latakia, Perique, Lakelands, and Aromatics, so you will get some of the previous blends flavor when you put a Virginia in the same pipe. I’m a Virginia lover, and want the pure taste of Virginia blends when I smoke them, so I don’t smoke anything in pipes I smoke Virginia in, but that can be difficult if you only have two pipes. There are no rules. If it doesn’t bother you then go for it!

Would you smoke VaPers out of your dedicated Virginia pipe?

 

[tschiraldi]

Would you smoke VaPers out of your dedicated Virginia pipe?

If I liked Perique, yes. I’m not a fan. I don’t get all the flavors others do from it. For me its just a mouthful of pepper! My pipes are either Virginia pipes or Lakeland pipes. For the occasional English I’ll use the meerschaum.

 

[rakovsky]

If I liked Perique, yes. I’m not a fan. I don’t get all the flavors others do from it. For me its just a mouthful of pepper! My pipes are either Virginia pipes or Lakeland pipes. For the occasional English I’ll use the meerschaum.

Perique has strong favor so I can see smoking VAs in a VA-only pipe without perique. For me, Perique smoke is thick like molasses, and gas a sweet smell like root beer or grape soda. Probably it is too thick for me at this point in my journey. I had both pure perique and mixes with perique.

 

[proteus]

I'd smoke them separate. I think one will be aromatic and the other more like tobacco. I wouldn't want to mix them myself. I would try some straight Virginia flake next. CD opening night is my new available fav since losing my two favs 507c and newminster 400. Those last two are still available but I hear will not be for very long.

 

[WVOldFart]

Smoke whatever you want in whatever you want when ever you want. Don't complicate the enjoyment of smoking a pipe.

 

[Joe H]

To @endlesssouth, you will no doubt add blends and pipes as you continue. It doesn’t have to get to acquisition disorder levels. I have managed a 10 pipe rotation after 30 years with about a dozen blends available, but if I only had a couple of jars of a nice cherry aromatic, I’d be perfectly happy. Here’s what I do:

I try to rotate through the 10 so that they all get used about as much. This doesn’t always work because I tend to smoke the largest chambers the least often. Of course, one can pack half a bowl, but you’d be amazed how often I forget that.

Also, I’m busy with lots of things and I only smoke outdoors. I often pack a pipe and seal the top with a chunk of wine bottle cork. It gets tucked in a shirt pocket in hopes I’ll have an opportunity to smoke it. In those cases I tend to favor small or less lengthy pipes just for ease of carry.

As to ghosting, I’m unconcerned. Most of my pipes smell slightly of baked cherry pie after decades of use. I even embrace the ghost by occasionally rubbing down the stems with cherry lip stick. It prevents oxidation, has some spf protection build in, and smells better than Obsidian oil.

 

[walkingpipeguy]

I mostly smoke my 3 favorite pipes. I use one mostly for latakia blends, but sometimes burleys. One is for mostly burleys, but sometimes aromatics. And one is for mostly aromatics, but sometimes burleys. I wouldn't smoke a cherry aromatic in my latakia pipe, but I have no hard and fast rules. I very rarely notice flavors from a previous tobacco, and if I do it doesn't bother me.

 

[InWithBothFeet]

What people like and recommend is purely personal preference. There are no hard and fast rules. Folks that like virginias are going to recommend virginias and so forth. Last year when I started, I needed something with a flavor that punched you in the nose but didn't make me go loopy with nicotine. Virginias are so subtle that I didn't get it. Still mostly don't. I leaned heavily into latakias because I could taste it. Now not so much. I smoke mild aromatic codgers that I can't detect a nic hit from. Just get an ounce or so of several different categories of tobacco and see what you like.